Having sex during pregnancy, far from being dangerous, is positive for both the couple and the baby. Unless abstinence is advised for medical reasons, sex during pregnancy is good for everyone .
It is recommended and safe for the couple, it favors intimacy and reinforces feelings in a very special moment, but it is also beneficial for the baby. There are false myths around sexual relations at this stage, so we are going to answer the 10 most frequent questions so that you fully enjoy sex in pregnancy .
1) Does sex hurt the baby?
One of the most widespread concerns about sex in pregnancy is the belief that it may be bad for the baby. It is wrongly thought that certain positions can hurt you, that semen can affect you, or that the child may feel intercourse as unpleasant. However, they are all beliefs without any foundation .
On the contrary, having sex is beneficial for the baby . The mother’s body releases endorphins and the pelvic region receives more blood, causing the baby to experience a pleasant sensation inside the uterus.
2) What are the best sexual positions in pregnancy?
The most advisable postures are, obviously, those that do not produce abdominal pressure in the future mother . The woman must be comfortable at all times, for which they can use cushions or pillows. The dialogue between the two is very important to find the most favorable positions together.
The best sexual positions during pregnancy are: sideways, the woman sitting on the man, standing, and the missionary position (the man on top of the woman) only if the man is able to support his own weight with his hands to avoid pressing on the woman’s belly.
Apart from these, with practice and as the pregnancy progresses, the couple can go looking for new variants that are comfortable as well as pleasant.
3) Does the desire decrease in pregnancy?
It is likely that women go through times when sexual desire decreases, especially in the first trimester due to the typical discomforts such as nausea and abdominal pain, and in the final stretch of pregnancy due to the size and pressure of the belly .
During the second trimester, as the discomfort is overcome, the desire tends to reappear . In general, it seems to be the fullest moment, but each woman is a world, and there are those who feel an increase in desire from the beginning of pregnancy.
4) Is sex different throughout pregnancy?
Naturally, in addition to the physical changes that women experience that can cause desire to decrease or increase, both men and women can go through different emotions throughout pregnancy.
Most likely, both of you go through stages in which one feels more desire than the other, and fears and feelings arise that can be disconcerting for both of you. Sex can be wonderful or it can be mixed .
Therefore, communication is essential, also in bed. You have to live it calmly and naturally and talk with your partner in the event of any doubts or fears that arise.
5) Is sex more pleasant during pregnancy?
Just as there are women in whom desire decreases, for others sex during pregnancy is more pleasant .
Especially in the first months, the increased blood supply causes greater sensitivity to the genital area and increases vaginal discharge, so the vagina becomes more sensitive and is better lubricated.
To this is added the liberation due to the fact of not having to use contraception, which together with the joy of being pregnant, increases the sexual appetite.
6) Can having an orgasm be harmful to pregnancy?
It is true that orgasm produces a contraction of the uterus, but rest assured that by having an orgasm you will not go into labor.
On the contrary, endorphins are released that invade all the cells of the body producing an intense sensation of well-being. In addition, endorphins cross the placenta, producing the same sensation in the baby.
7) In which cases is sexual intercourse contraindicated during pregnancy?
It is the doctor who must indicate whether it is safe or not for the continuation of the pregnancy to continue having sexual intercourse. It is contraindicated, in general, in cases in which the uterus needs rest such as threatened abortion, threatened premature labor, ruptured amniotic sac or placenta previa.
If it is a multiple pregnancy, from the last trimester the contractions due to orgasm could dilate the cervix and there would be a risk of premature delivery.
8) When to stop?
You have to stop if when making love you notice pain, discomfort or cramps, very strong contractions, if there are bleeding or loss of amniotic fluid. It is also contraindicated if you have already broken your water, due to the risk of infection.
However, even if there is no penetration, there are many other ways to experience sexuality .
9) Does making love help speed up labor?
Having sex in the final stretch of pregnancy is a natural way to speed up labor when it does not arrive. Although recent research rules it out, sperm contains prostaglandins , which are precisely the hormones used to induce labor.
Ideally, you should make love by ejaculating the man inside the vagina. If you also reach orgasm, all the better, because orgasms cause contractions in the uterus.
10) Is sexual abstinence necessary in pregnancy?
After all that we have discussed, absolutely not . Sex is beneficial for both the couple and the baby, therefore, unless there is a medical prescription for abstinence to endanger the continuity of the pregnancy, having sex during pregnancy is absolutely recommended .
Photo by Jonathan Borba, Andrea Piacquadioen Pexels
In Babies and more | Nine benefits of having sex during pregnancy
